Toy pistol



Oct. 1, 1929. T. E. WEBB 1,729,917

TOY PISTOL Filed Sept. 17, 1928 IN V EN TOR. 7X T/mmas E. Web 5.

A TTORNE Y.

Patented Oct. 1, 1929 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE THOMAS E. WEBB, OF SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA, ASSIGNOR 0F ONE-HALF TO JOHN R. KILLER, OF SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA.

Application filed September 17, 1928. Serial No. 306,372.

The present invention relates to improvements in toys generally and more particularly to those of a catapultic' character con-. structed in semblance of firearms, such as guns and pistols, and provided with an ammunition possessing in combination the properties of both projectile and propellant, after the manner of an elastic memher.

As herein illustrated, the device comprises a member of pistol-like form having a trigger mechanism adapted for the retention of one end of an elastic member, the body of this member being-stretched forwardly with its other extremity in retained relation with the muzzle of the pistol-like body.

The primary object of my invention is the provision of a toy of gun or pistol-like appearance, the ammunition of which is of combination projectile and propellant character and constituted of a single elastic element.

A further object of the invention is to provision of a toy of the class designated embodying an elastic member constituting both projectile and propellant, together with novel means for gripping and retaining this member in loadedrelation with the toy body preliminary to its firing.

An additional object ofthe invention is to provide a toyof the class designated that is of extremely simple form, cheap construction and durable character. I

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become obvious to those skilled in the art, as this specification progresses and be more filly set forth in the claims hereto appended.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this speclfication, and 1n WhlCll similar characters of reference refer to like parts,

throughout Figure 1 is a side elevation illustrative of thepreferred form of my invention, in which the combined projectile and propellant is shown in the form of an elastic band positioned in. readiness for firing, the dotand-dash "am A indicating the position of the band immediately following the release of its trigger-retained extremity, and

B that of its complete release from the device and direction of travel in flight toward its target; I v

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the device as shown in Figure 1, and is further illustrativeof the shape of the barrel, the elastic band retaining within itself the properties of both projectile and propellant, and the trigger mechanism; and

Figure 3 is a mutilated View illustrative of a slightly modified form of the propellantprojectile, comprising, in. this instance, a single strip of elastic material instead of one of a looped or band character.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, the body of my improved toy-gun, or pistol is, preferably, stamped on cut from wood to form a-butt, or grip, 5, a magazine section 6, and a barrel section 7. If desired, the configuration thus secured may be employed as a pattern and the toy cast in light angularly slotted, as i of spring clothespin-like construction, com-' prising the matched sections 10 and 11 with recessed or notched upper ends 12, and a spring member 13 normally holding the recessed ends of the sectionslO and 11 in tightly'closed relation.

The section 10 of the triggermechan ism is securely pinned in the slot 8 by means of pins 14 extending through the side walls 15 and 16 of the grip section 5, with the upper end of the member 9 projecting slightly above the upper sight edge 17 of the gun barrel, as shown in Figure 1, and the lower end 18 of the section 11 extending slightly beyond the curved outer'surface 19 of the grip section and forming the trigger proper. p

: The combination projectile propellant preferably comprises a looped elastic band 20, as shown in'Figures 1 and 2, or it may or, if desired, either of these may be of cordlike character.

y-gun, the looped end a trigger mechanism therefor comprising In charging the to 22-of the band 20 is first fitted over the muzzle a' member embodying spring pressed grip- 23 of the-barrel 7 and its opposite-end 24 stretched rearwardly to and inserted between the recessed portions 12 constituting the jaws of the member 9, the trigger member 18 being, the while, depressed by hand compression to hold the jaws a art to permit of this insertion and imme 'ately thereafter released to permit their securely gripping and holding the end 24 until its release is desired, which is accomplished by the de-.- pression again of the member 18. A reversal of the process of securing the band 20 in extended position between trigger mechanism and muzzle may be employed.

' with equal facility, if so desired.

In the modified formfshown in Figure 3, the elastic member 21 is provided at its forward end with an eyelet 25, adapted for en-' gagement with a pin 26 borne by the muzzle,

. and at its opposite end with a thickened portion 27 serving to facilitate its being gripped by the trigger member 9 and to add weight to its head for stabilization in flight. a

Assuming that the toy has been charged,

- as provided for and shown in Figures 1 and 2, and is in readiness for firing, the toygun is-levelled at the target, the trigger charge .ly and forwardly,

.member 18 depressed by gripping pressure upon the butt 15 releasing the end 24 of the or band 20, which hurtles upwardas indicated at A, to finally assume the straightened-out position for flight indicated by'B, with a complete re-.

versal of band ends and an aligned course with the barrel toward the object aimed at.

Having "thus described my invention, I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent:

'1. An' article of the class' described, comprising a member of pistol-like form embodying a butt-end and a muzzle, an an lar slot formed in the butt end thereof, a trig- 'ger mechanism mounted. in said slot comprising a spring-controlled gripping member having gripping jaws and a trigger ping jaws having correspon'dmgly notched upper ends and adapted for angular disposition in the butt thereof, and an elastic band stretched between the muzzle of. the barrel and the trigger mechanism, one extremity of said band being retained by said muzzle and the other extremity gripped by said notched jaws, the ejectment of said band froni said stretched position being dependent upon itselasticity and its release from 'to, and an elastic band combining, through its elasticity, the properties of both projectile and propellant and adapted to be stretchedbetween the muzzle end of the bar'- rel and the trigger. mechanism, with'its free end securely gripped between said gripping members for subsequent release therefrom-through pressure applied to said gripping member. j

In testimony whereof I hereunto afiix my signature I v 5 THOMAS E.

- section, and means constituting both a proi jectile and a propellant adapted for stretching between said muzzle and said trigger mechanism. e

2. An article of the class described, comprising means, including a trigger mechanism and a muzzle, said trigger mechanism embodying spring pressed gripping jaws,

an elastic member, constituting both projectile and propellant, stretched between said ipping ]8WS and muzzle, and means wherey the application of gripping pressure to I. said trigger mechamsm serves tocause the release of the'gripped end'of said elas-Z tic member and permit, through its retrac- 1 tion, its projection from said muzzle in aligned course therewith.

3. In an article of the class described,

means constituting a gun-butt and barrel, 

